PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS OF THE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS, KIC, OF BRITTLE AND DUCTILE MATERIALS DETERMINED BY SIMPLIFIED METHODS USING THE WEIBULL DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

摘要

Simplified methods were developed to determine the critical stress intensity factor or fracture toughness K_(IC) for brittle and ductile materials. The methods are the simplest for both kinds of materials. Moreover, they are low-cost and allow for the obtention of a great number of samples in a short time. The results of K_(IC) were analyzed using the Weibull distribution function determining the respective mean values and the Weibull parameters. The results of K_(IC) are quite similar to those obtained by traditional methods. Glass, cement, steel and copper were the materials used.